ITALIAN AND SWISS HOLIDAY, 2012

Come visit the beautiful countries of Italy and Switzerland in June, 2012, as we tour some of Europe's most historic sites. We will travel via motorcoach, have a guide the entire journey, and will stay in first-class accomodations. We will visit some of the most famous churches in the world, hear wonderful concerts, and partake of wondrous Alpine scenery. Rome, Milan, Florence, and the famous Tuscany region are only highlights in this trip that culminates in Zürich. This will be the fourth trip (Germany, 2006; Eastern Europe, 2008; Scandinavia, 2010) coordinated by Benjamin Kolodziej utilizing the professional travel services of Eskin Tours, Inc. For more information, please contact him: bkolodzi@smu.edu.

May 28 – Dallas en route

Depart Dallas on Delta Airlines for Atlanta where you continue by a connecting flight to Rome

May 29 – Rome

Morning arrival in Rome, where you are welcomed by your tour director. Enjoy a guided city tour of Rome.  Embark on a guided panoramic orientation tour, which will introduce you to tableau of Rome’s varied colors along the streets steeped in ancient history.  Visit the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and drive through Piazza Venezia, the Capitoline Hill and on to Castel Sant’Angelo.  Overnight is in Rome. Dinner is included. (D)

May 30 – Rome

Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, a group of impressive edifices with hundreds of rooms, halls, galleries, libraries, and chapels, overflowing with art treasures. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece painting, is bound to be the highlight of this tour. You then enter the largest church in Christendom – St. Peter’s Basilica. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s amazing bronze canopy. From here, you will be on your own for the remainder of the day to do some shopping. (B)

May 31 – Rome/Orvieto/Montecatini (Tuscany)

Depart Rome this morning and head to Orvieto reachable only by a funicular, Orvieto is the perfect example of the Umbrian hill top town. Perched high in the cliffs, Orvieto is steeped in history dating back to the Etruscans; however, its most important attraction is the magnificent Duomo. Here, your escort will lead you to the cathedral, as you may choose to visit it on your own.  Enter the cathedral from its stunning façade and large bronze doors to the elegant frescoes by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli, located in the Cappella della Madonna di San Brizio. Long-considered a gem of early Renaissance architecture, the Duomo of Orvieto still remains one of Italy’s most beautiful cathedrals. While in Orvieto, enjoy lunch on your own, before you continue to Montecatini. A lovely Spa town known for its beautiful parks and therapeutic water. There are actually two Montecatini. The ancient town (Montecatini Alto) sits above the newer (Montecatini Terme) on a mountain top accessible by a funicular.  Arrive in the late afternoon. After check-in at your hotel, you will have some time to relax as the balance of the day at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B&D)

June 01 -       Montecatini Terme / Florence / Montecatini Terme

Breakfast at the hotel.  This morning, travel to Florence where your guided walking tour includes the main square to admire the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by Brunelleschi’s famous dome and flanked by Giotto’s Bell Tower, the adjacent Baptistery where you will have a chance to see Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the Signoria Square with its many sculptures and famous cafes.  Included in the tour is a visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia, where Michelangelo’s David is on display. Return to Montecatini for overnight. B)

June 02 – Montecatini/Bologna/ Parma /

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, check out and board your motor coach bound for Veneto Region. Enjoy the drive through picturesque hills and valleys .Along the way, we make a stop in Bologna where we enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. Next we stop in Parma in the region of Emilia-Romagna.  Here enjoy a Tasting of some of the products produced here that are known throughout the world -- Balsamic vinegar from Modena and Parma Ham or Cheese in Parma. Continue to Padua for overnight.

June 03 – Padua/Venice/Padua

 This morning motor coach to where you board a Vaporetto to San Marco Square. There, you meet up with a local guide who will take you on a walking tour around this very unique city. You visit St. Marco’s Basilica, walk over small bridges to the Bridge of Sighs, and past winding waterways to Rialto Bridge. Here, you admire all sorts of Italian products from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing and leather. Included is a gondola ride to explore the many canals of Venice before you have free time to explore the many streets of Venice. Return to Padua in the early evening.  (B)

June 04 – Padua/Verona/Lugano

Depart for Verona which is located approx. 40 miles west.  Your escort will take you around Juliet's hometown.

You'll see the Roman Amphitheater, the Piazza delle Erbe, the Duomo and Juliet's balcony. Spend the rest of the

afternoon exploring the shops, the museums and squares of this historical crossroads between the Germanic and Latin worlds. Continue to Lugano, the most famous resort in southern Switzerland. Enjoy a lake cruise and take in the spectacular scenery of the area.

 

June 05 – Lugano/Lake Lucerne

Today we drive further into Switzerland with a stop in the charming town of Weggis on Lake Lucerne.  Enjoy a  tour of the region before continuing to Lucerne for dinner and overnight. (B&D)

 June 06 – Lucerne (Mountains excursions).

This full-day excursion from Lucerne starts with a coach ride through Switzerland's scenic countryside to the enchanting Alpine world of the Bernese Oberland. After a short interlude in Interlaken you'll travel to Lauterbrunnen. Here you'll board the Wengernalp rack railway for a 45-minute trip through idyllic Alpine meadows and forests to the little village of Wengen, and then further on up to Kleine Scheidegg (6,762 feet, 2,061 meters). Bring your camera, as the panoramic mountain views of Mts. Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau from here are magnificent. The imposing Eiger North Face is within touching distance! You'll have free time for lunch, to relax or do some hiking on the well-signed hiking trails for all levels of competence. The unaccompanied trip back down to the valley follows the north-west slopes of the Eiger to the famous resort of Grindelwald. (During the winter season the tour is fully guided, including the down-hill train ride to Grindelwald.) You'll return to Lucerne in the early evening.

June 7 - Lucerne/Zürich

This morning you explore Lucerne on a guided tour of the city. You'll visit the medieval squares of the Old Town, cross the famous wooden Chapel Bridge, visit the 17th century Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument, probably Switzerland's most visited monument. After time for lunch, continue to Zürich for overnight.

 

June 08 – Zürich

Discover this unique city, several times winner of the award "City of Best Quality of Life". See the castle-like National Museum, the shopping and business centre on Bahnhofstrasse, the Limmatquai with its medieval Old Town and view the Lindenhof, where the brave women of Zurich saved the city from invaders, the largest church clock-face of Europe on St Peter, the patriarchal guild houses, the opera house with its famous June festivals, as well as the lake.Additional highlights are the University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, its most famous student and professor being Albert Einstein. Finally there will be a stop in the Old Town at Fraumünster Church where you will admire the world-famous Chagall-Windows with detailed explanations. After a short introduction to the Old Town you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Meet for your farewell dinner this evening. (B&D)

 

June 09 -  Zürich/Dallas.

Depart Zürich on Delta Airlines to Atlanta, where you clear customs before continuing to Dallas with unforgettable memories of your tour.

EXCLUSIVE TOUR FEATURES:

-          Air transportation from Dallas to Rome and return from Zurich on Delta Airlines regular scheduled flights.

-          11 nights of hotel accommodations in First Class hotels as follows:

o   2 nights Rome, Italy

o   2 nights Montecatini (Tuscany), Italy

o   2 nights Padua (Veneto), Italy

o   1 night Lugano, Switzerland

o   2 nights Lucerne

o   2 nights Zürich

-          Breakfast daily

-          4 dinners

-          Sightseeing daily as described in the itinerary.

-          Entrance fee to the Vatican Museum.

-          Entrance fee to the Academia in Florence

-          Specialty tasting in Parma

-          Gondola Ride in Venice

-          Lake Cruise in Lugano

-          Full day scenic mountain tour in Switzerland including train ride.

-          Porterage of one suitcase per person at all hotels.

-          Current airline fuel surcharges of $420.00 subject to change.

-          Full time English speaking tour director.

Not included: US and foreign departure taxes of approx. $ 90.00 per person, tips to guides and drivers, beverages with included dinners.

$3999 per person based on double occupancy

Click here for the registration form or email Benjamin Kolodziej for any questions:

bkolodzi@smu.edu